The McCain and Obama campaigns released new television ads Friday that focused on taxes.

(CNN) – As Congress and the White House acted quickly Friday to try to rescue the nation’s stalled credit markets, the McCain and Obama campaigns released the latest in a string of recent television ads focused on the economy, taxes and governmental spending.

Barack Obama’s campaign hits McCain on health care in a new 30-second spot, “Prescription.” The ad focuses on John McCain’s proposal to grant a $5000 tax credit to help cover health care costs. The spot suggests that McCain’s proposal would ultimately shortchange taxpayers because McCain’s proposal also involves levying taxes on employer-provided health insurance benefits which are currently not taxed.

McCain’s new ad, “Tax Cutter,” takes up a traditional GOP line of attack on Democratic candidates, repeating the McCain camp’s frequent claim that Obama has voted to raise taxes 94 times. “He's not truthful on taxes,” an announcer says during the 30-second spot.

The Obama campaign took exception with the claims in “Tax Cutter.” “While the McCain campaign continues to feel no shame in repeating one of the most discredited lies of the election, their own candidate is offering a health care plan that will actually tax people’s benefits for the very first time,” said Obama-Biden campaign spokesman Tommy Vietor. “Barack Obama will cut taxes for 95% of workers and their families and make health care affordable and available for every single American,” added Vietor.

The Obama campaign says “Prescription” began airing nationally earlier this week. “Tax Cutter” will also air nationally, according to the McCain campaign.

Since the crisis in the nation’s troubled financial system began dominating headlines two weeks ago, both presidential campaigns have increasingly turned their focus and their messaging to economic issues, releasing a steady stream of television ads focused on the economy and related concerns.

soundoff(200 Responses)

With McCain plan who wants to fight with a health care company if you have a precondition illness. They will not except anyone now but with Obama plans they will have to and I glad.

October 3, 2008 06:02 pm at 6:02 pm |

Wake-up America

Give me a break!! The McCain campaign couldn't and hasn't told the truth most of their ads. They are nothing but liers and even when confronted with the truth they still lie. Shameful!!!

Some reports have shown more than 90% of the McCain ads are Misleading, Deceitful and flat out Lies. As usual again from the McCain Camp. Sure just show part of an interview out of context and you could blame 9/11 on Bush, you know that conspiracy theory.

Factcheck.org:
The total also includes multiple votes on the same measures. Annenberg says a close look at the record reveals that Obama has "voted consistently to restore higher tax rates on upper income taxpayers but not on middle- or low-income workers." Palin's summary ignores the fact that some of the votes were for measures to lower taxes for many Americans, while increasing them for a much smaller number of taxpayers. The total also includes multiple votes on the same measures and budget votes that would not directly lead to higher taxes. – Misleading.

October 3, 2008 06:04 pm at 6:04 pm |

Griff

Increase the Dtama... Vote for Obama. Worse than the same, to a Coutry that is alreadt Lame..

October 3, 2008 06:06 pm at 6:06 pm |

Emmy Lee

All Mc. Cain's ads about Obama are MISLEADING . Mc.Cain/Palin are LIARS.

October 3, 2008 06:06 pm at 6:06 pm |

Greg, San Francisco, CA

McCain continues to use a debunked lie in his campaign ads. How can this man claim to be a "Straight-talker"?

October 3, 2008 06:06 pm at 6:06 pm |

Laura

Let the games begin. All you see from McCain is negative ads, no solutions. Thank gawd I saw the light.

This is not the Maverick McCain, this is Karl Rove McCain.

EX-McCain supporter

October 3, 2008 06:07 pm at 6:07 pm |

nelson

McCain's "slime machine " is firing up again. "DODO" McCain
should be very wary as the P.O.W. that were with him in NAM, are
letting it all out in the latest edition of the RollinStones mag.
All folks should read this article when it hits the stands.. might change your perspective of the "actual" events not as Mc Cain tells it!

October 3, 2008 06:07 pm at 6:07 pm |

12 HOUSES to 0

WE ARE GOING TO PAY FOR THE MCSHAME TAX PLAN

& THE MCSHAME, CHANEY & BUSH COWBOY ECONOMICS

FOR THE NEXT 20 YEARS. THAT IS A FACT.

October 3, 2008 06:08 pm at 6:08 pm |

X-democrat for McCain

Were all so Sick of Obama we could Puke!!! Obama has not run trueful campain since the start!! Don't forget how Obama name trashed the Clinton's. Obama is just like every other democrat, just more of the same old due nothing!! It's true folks!

Get Real Leadership with McCain and Palin!!!!

October 3, 2008 06:11 pm at 6:11 pm |

Dr. Mimi De La Cruz for OBAMA

MCSLEAZY WANT TO SCARE AMERICANS WITH THE

DEMOCRATIC "RUN AWAY SPENDING". DO DEMOCRAT

HAS EVER DONE MORE "RUN AWAY" SPENDING.SCUM BAG

& LOBBYISTS HAVE DESTROYED OUR ECONOMY

WITH MAVERICK & COWBOY ECONOMICS, THAT

LINES THEIR POCKETS & EMPTIES OURS.

October 3, 2008 06:12 pm at 6:12 pm |

Steve

Last night's "debate" was a lot more interesting than the presidential debate last week. Still, every time Palin spoke, I kept thinking "small town TV station weather girl." Palin spouted a number of statistics she obviously didn't understand, because she couldn't go into detail, so I don't fault her for lying. I don't fault Palin for being dumb. She can't help it. It's genetics. What I DO fault Palin for is her absolute lack of curiosity. You would think she would want to know WHY McCain's crew is feeding her all these statistics, and whether the "facts" make sense to the people in "this great land of ours". If she had any curiosity, she'd ask a few questions, and realize that more and more of us in Middle America think the McCain campaign is completely out of touch with what we want and need, and that the "facts" are recognized for what they are; spin doctoring and flip flopping. I don't need a ditzy weather girl and a grumpy, spoiled fighter pilot to run my country, thanks. I'm voting for the team that runs against McCain (don't really care who it is).

October 3, 2008 06:13 pm at 6:13 pm |

John, Brooklyn, New York

Don't the McCain/Palin/Bush people get it? Misrepresenting the truth simply doesn't work anymore. Unfortunately, they continue to lie while they watch North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia, and Nevada all slip into the blue column this week. Guys – there is a cause and effect here...America is sick of Republican politics as usual.

October 3, 2008 06:15 pm at 6:15 pm |

David Goldman for OBAMA

ONLY MCBUSH & OTHERS WITH 12 HOUSES &

13 CARS ARE GOING TO SEE THEIR TAXES GO UP.

THE REST OF US WISH WE QUALIFIED FOR AN

OBAMA TAX HEIGHT. WE CAN'T EVEN FILL OUR

TANKS OR REFRIGERATORS ANYMORE, AFTER

8 YEARS OF MAVERICK COWBOY ECONOMICS.

October 3, 2008 06:17 pm at 6:17 pm |

rickie lawson

Sarah palin has tv persona she was tv anchor at one time so she would be able to handle her self in a debate by looking to camera using poplus them, backed up with misleading statements and enability answer questions. Yes she did reabiltate her self after katie curoic interveiw. But in reality she is no average hockeymom how many average hockeymom you know is worth a million dollar are more. Real american dig further into the fact don't just except the party line like the germans did before world war two. The access to the media is the greates weapon we have for the truth.

October 3, 2008 06:17 pm at 6:17 pm |

Biff

REPUBLICAN TAX PLAN;

take an old piece of stinking crap...

put it in a new box...

put new wrapping and a pretty bow...

present it to the American people.

October 3, 2008 06:19 pm at 6:19 pm |

matthew.a.a

JUST COME TO SPAIN AND SEE HOW HEALTH CARE WORKS.. JUST GO TO HOSPITAL AND GET HEALTH CARE

October 3, 2008 06:20 pm at 6:20 pm |

Former Republican for OBAMA

MCBUSH SHOULD SHUT THE HELL UP.

AND HE CAN SHUT THE OTHER MORON AS WELL.

THERE IS NOTHING TO DISCUSS. NO ONE IN THIS

COUNTRY, THAT CAN READ OR JUST LISTEN TO A

VIDEO WILL LISTEN TO HIS BLATANT LIES ANYMORE.

HE HAS BEEN, HE IS FOR THE RICH ONLY. THAT HAS

BEEN A 26 YEAR RECORD, END OF STORY.

October 3, 2008 06:20 pm at 6:20 pm |

Ted van Tol

AMERICA, If you want to save your last money I suggest to impeach Bush and put Barack Obama in office as soon as you can.

October 3, 2008 06:23 pm at 6:23 pm |

ADG

ounce again mccain lies . Im not on of the people mccains plan will help. obamas plan will help me. I am one of many who hurts because of the last 8 years of bush and mccain. no! mccain or palin!!!

October 3, 2008 06:23 pm at 6:23 pm |

Sean

Go Obama! Keep going, right into the White House, which will soon be known as "Obama's House"!

October 3, 2008 06:24 pm at 6:24 pm |

Cheryl

Another deception of the truth. John McCain and his campaign are desperate. Thank heavens in 32 days, we don't have to listen to these dishonest characters any longer. Hopefully, many will leave the country.

October 3, 2008 06:25 pm at 6:25 pm |

Mike

The Fact check found the McBush AD to be false and misleading.
You know how you find if a McBush AD is misleading? You read it. All of the little angry old mans AD's are false and negative. That is the maverick motto, LIE and MISLEAD.

October 3, 2008 06:26 pm at 6:26 pm |

Shannon

Is obama truthful on anything, certainly not on tax cuts for big oil, FISA, public financing, faith based initiatives, abortion, gun control. He is the most dishonest politician I have ever seen. He is the reason I gave up my political party after 30 years. I will be voting third party for the first time, Obama is a fraud, and his supporters are hate filled people. It's so ironic, they say the support hope, in one sentence and slander someone in the next. Strange bunch!

October 3, 2008 06:26 pm at 6:26 pm |

Darryl

Gov. Sarah Palin only repeat what Senator John McCain tell her to say..